Vs. 71 — It is good for me that I have been afflicted, That I may learn Your statutes.

“That I might learn.” “I had never known,” said Martin Luther’s wife, “what such and such things meant, in such and such Psalms, such complaints and workings of spirit; I had never understood the practice of Christian duties, had not God brought me under some affliction.” It is very true that God’s rod is as the schoolmaster’s pointer to the child, pointing out the letter, that he may the better take notice of it; thus he pointeth out to us many good lessons which we should never otherwise have learned.—From John Spencer’s “Things New and Old,” 1658.

Prayer:

It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I may learn Your statutes. I admit, Father, that I have not learned to rejoice in tribulation, or give thanks in trials. But I am learning to open my eyes and ask what You are trying to teach me in times of affliction and sorrow. Lead me to embrace affliction knowing that I will learn Your ways. In such times, grace, yes grace to see You.